Even with a planned 1-mill increase in the property tax rate this fall, Barrow County’s government is on perilous financial footing for the upcoming fiscal year, according to the county’s chief financial officer.
In a presentation Tuesday night, CFO Rose Kisaalita sounded an alarm about the county’s faltering finances and called for more controls over spending and greater efforts to locate additional revenue.
The FY2011 budget, which is being placed in the libraries for public review this week, shows a paper-thin margin of only $40,000 more revenues than expenses.
However, that figure is predicated on the county bringing in 100 percent of the budgeted revenues, which is doubtful. For the current fiscal year, revenues are expected to be $1.3 million below budget.
“We need to cut expenses as much as we can, but we also need to raise more revenue,” Kisaalita said. “We don’t have any (more revenue). And if we start the fiscal year with $1 million in reserves, I think we are going to be in great trouble. So we need to raise some revenue. We need to cut spending. Right now, we have an extremely tight budget, and I think some departments are going to come back and say ‘we need help’.”
LAYOFFS UNKNOWN
The BOC has yet to select which employees to lay off as of Oct. 1. Currently, the payroll savings from the planned layoffs are estimated in the budget to be $329,138.
Kisaalita asked the board to quickly select the eliminated positions so that she can finalize the FY2011 budget document.
“I’m requesting the authorities to try and give us that figure as soon as possible, because starting tomorrow we are going to be advertising this budget at the library and have a copy in the finance department,” she said. “So we need to finalize that figure as soon as we can.”
The BOC took no immediate action in response to Kisaalita’s request, even with some additional prodding from Commissioner Steve Worley.
For more on this story, see the August 25 edition of the Barrow Journal or click here to read the full story online when you subscribe to our new e-edition. 
I know times are hard and nobody wants to see the dang county start taking peoples property.However there is a large number of these people who havent paid, not because they cant,but because they think they are too good(yeardwood).There are no doubt others who think it is illegal and unconstitutional to have to pay their taxes.
I dont know about you folks reading this newspaper but Ive always paid my own way in life. I dont like taxes either and I complain and grip about them with the best of them,but at the end of the day I pay them because thats what the law is.
If we have so many people that cnat or wont pay then the final solution would be to go back to the State and tell them sorry, I guesse we dont need 159 counties after all. divide barro back up between Gwinnett, Jackson and Walton.
At any rate, when looking for areas to reduce revenue, the County should immediately cut out any expenditure that has to do with recreation. Cut 100% of the funding for Leisure Services, including cutting utilities to the buildings.
Also, Keep Barrow Beautiful is a complete waset of money. Cut 100% of the funding to that useless venture.
Not, as you stated, Walton.
As usual, you are ignorant.
At least this time, you didn't parade your bigotry against any religion that does not recognize the divinity of Jesus H. Christ. Now, tell me true, "jack," do you believe that all Jews will be consigned to the fiery lake?
our community and citizens.This would take at least some traffic off our
roads, it would provide much needed transportation for those elderly and
less affluent, and it would provide jobs.This kind of thing can most likely
be financed with some grant money from obama and company, and would be a
revenue producer for barrow.This is something that needs to be looked at
and considered as we move forward,past 2012.It would require new
leaders,with vision and integrity, not to mention some gumption.
Based on the above posts, it would seem that many of you don't care how we balance the budget,as long as it gets balanced, and a few "wallet huggers" in this county are made happy, vs impacting the lives of many senior citizens in this county who have over the years done their fair share of supporting our community by paying their taxes, and shopping in Barrow County to support our businesses. These seniors by their efforts have allowed each of you to enjoy the current life style that you have.
They(seniors) are entitled to reap the rewards of THEIR efforts during their lifetime, by having a few services available to them as a "thank you" for all of their efforts. The disrespect that has been shown by several posters here, is an embarrassment to our seniors, and our county. They must command, and deserve our respect, and they certainly have my respect and many other taxpaying citizens of this county.
I will not support any cuts to senior programs in this county, and will actively lobby my commissioner(s) to refrain from such cuts.
In closing, let me remind you that someday each of you WILL BE A SENIOR CITIZEN TOO!! Please have the decency to show a little respect to our seniors............
Sincerely,
DuWayne R. Anderson
Winder, GA